Does momentum matter?

In stark contrast to last season, the Spurs are limping to the finish line.

With Manu Ginobili potentially out until the postseason and Tony Parker hobbled by a variety of bumps and bruises, they’re 9-7 over their last 16 outings. They’ve still got a shot at the top seed in the West, sitting second to Oklahoma City by virtue of their inferior conference record.

But even should the Spurs hold on — a feat that will likely require victories in all four remaining games — they’ll enter the playoffs with little of the momentum they enjoyed earlier in the season, when they won 11 straight and 16 of 17 in January and February.

Does it even matter? Last year’s team would say no. Those Spurs ripped through 20 straight victories, including two straight sweeps and the first two games of the Western Conference Finals, before imploding against the Thunder.

Nor does history provide a clear-cut answer. The last three champions — Miami, Dallas and the Lakers — all posted modest records over their final 20 regular season games. The 1994-95 Rockets actually had a losing record in that span, going 9-11 as they struggled to integrate Clyde Drexler after his late-season trade.

Conversely, historically great teams like the 1986-87 Lakers, 1985-86 Celtics and the 1995-96 Bulls all powered into the playoffs. Then there are the crown princes of momentum: The 2000-01 Lakers, who coasted their way through most of the season before winning 23 of their final 24 games.

Barring an exhaustive research project, it’s difficult to determine the many factors that went into each individual season: Mediocre play, injuries, rest, etc. But this much seems clear: While momentum is obviously helpful, it’s not necessary to make a championship run.

Records for the final 20 regular season games of the NBA champions since the ABA merger —